Wichita Falls ISD
6th Grade Science
Unit Planner
Unit 7: Force and Motion
Lesson 3: Planes and Pulleys
Time Frame: 6 days
Objectives
Skills: The student will be able to…
 investigate how inclined planes and pulleys can be used to change the amount of
force to move an object.
TEKS
Supporting:
NONE
Answer Fundamental Questions:
1. How do inclined planes work to change the amount of force required to move an
object?
2. How do pulley systems work to reduce the amount of force required to lift a load?
3. How are inclined planes and pulley systems examples of simple machines?
4. How is an object’s mass related to the amount of force needed to move it?
Other Science Concepts:
6.8E
Scientific Process Skills:
6.2A, 6.2B, 6.2C, 6.2D,
6.2E, 6.3A, 6.4A
ELPS:
1G, 2I, 4I
Performance Indicators:
By the end of the unit the student will have learned key concepts…
 Key Concept 1: Inclined planes and pulleys are simple machines that have few or no moving parts.
 Key Concept 2: Inclined planes and pulleys reduce the amount of force that must be exerted and/or change the
direction of force exerted on an object in order to move it. An object’s mass is related to the amount of force
needed to move it.
 Key Concept 3: An inclined plane is a simple ramp. It decreases the amount of force that is exerted to lift an object.
As an inclined plane increases in length, the amount of force necessary to move an object a certain height
decreases.
 Key Concept 4: A pulley system consists of a rope attached to a wheel and a load. Pulleys distribute the weight of
the load over different sections of the rope. They reduce the force needed to lift the load by increasing the distance
the load is moved.
Lesson Information
Activities
Engage Demonstration Presentation
Demonstration Presentation Teacher
Instructions -STEMscopes
 With the remaining time introduce the
vocabulary. Have students make their own
vocabulary cards using Student Vocabulary
Cards
(There are some words on the template that
were not chosen to be on the vocabulary list.)
 Students can get in groups and use their cards to
Wichita Falls ISD (2013-2014)
6Sc Unit 7, Lesson 3
Vocabulary
 Simple Machines- Devices
that reduce the amount of
force required to move an
object.
 Inclined Plane- A simple
machine that is sloped at a
particular angle.
 Pulley- A device consisting
of a wheel over which a
rope or chain is pulled in
order to lift heavy objects.
Process Skills TEKS must be incorporated into
instruction as appropriate throughout the school year.





Load- the object to be
moved using a machine.
Movable pulley- a pulley
that is attached to the
object you are moving.
Fixed Pulley- A pulley
attached to a structure.
Pulley System- A
combination of fixed and
movable pulleys.
Spring Scale- A tool used
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revised 12/8/13
quiz each other as to the word meanings as time
permits.
Explore STEMscopes Inclined Planes and Pulleys Explore
Activity in Teacher Guide
Student Guide & Journal in resource folder

Newton-The SI unit of
force

to measure force.
Review Force from last
lesson.
Explain Go over want was done in the lab for the explore
section. Demonstrate for the class once again
how an inclined plane causes you to need less
force to lift an object at the cost of moving it a
longer distance. The same amount of mechanical
energy is required to lift the object - the plane
just spreads it over distance. Should record this
information in their science journals along with
diagrams when appropriate.
 Review and demonstrate examples of fixed,
moveable, and compound pulley systems. Make
sure students understand how pulley systems
can change the direction or amount of force
needed to move an object. Students should also
record this information in their science journals,
along with diagrams when appropriate.
 If time permits discuss the other four simple
machines and how they give mechanical
advantage. . Should record this information in
their science journals along with diagrams when
appropriate.
Elaborate Stemscopes Simple Machines research activity in
“Extensions”. Have students use the internet to
research various simple machines. In the lesson,
students learned about two simple machines,
inclined planes and pulleys. Have them research
other types of simple machines. Their research
should include a short description of the simple
machine, an example of the simple machine, and
a picture or drawing of the simple machine.
Evaluate 1 Stemscopes Inclined Planes and Pulleys Concept
Builder, Science Scavenger Hunt
Student Pages and ppt template in resource
folder
Students will participate in a scavenger hunt to
investigate “real world” uses of inclined planes
and pulleys. Students will use a presentation
software application to organize and document
their findings; these findings will include photos
Wichita Falls ISD (2013-2014)
6Sc Unit 7, Lesson 3
Process Skills TEKS must be incorporated into
instruction as appropriate throughout the school year.
2
revised 12/8/13
and supporting descriptions of the inclined
planes and pulleys. The final product should
include:
a. Descriptions and photos of four inclined
planes;
b. Descriptions and photos of three fixed pulleys;
c. Descriptions and photos of three movable
pulleys; and
d. Descriptions and photos of three combined
pulleys.
 Optional- if student computers are not available
students can still do the activity by just drawing
their examples of inclined planes and pulleys and
using their drawings in their presentations.
Evaluate 2 Unit 7 Assessment
Additional Information
Materials/Resources
 Explore Activity:
20 Marbles (per group)
30 cm Heavy cotton twine (per group)
5 Hardcover books (per group)
1 Smooth board, 1 meter x 15 cm (per group)
1 Resealable sandwich bag (per group)
1 250 g/2.5 N spring scale (per group)
1 Roll duct tape (per class)
1 Metric ruler (per group)
1 500 g/5 N spring scale (per group)
1 Pulley wheel (per group)
2 30 cm boards (2 by 2's) (per group)
2 Screw eyehook
200 mL sand (per group)
1 16 oz plastic cup (per group)
1 Single-hole puncher (per group)
120 cm heavy cotton twine (per group)
1 250 mL beaker (per group)
 Various pulleys ( for classroom demonstration)
 Twine suitable for the pulleys(for classroom
demonstration)
Notes from Council
 Interventions
o Guided Practice
o STEMscopes CLOZE-ing in on Science
o STEMscopes Concept Attainment Quiz
Misconceptions/Underdeveloped Concepts

Students often have a misconception that more pulleys equal less force. The arrangement of the pulleys and the
number of times the string is actually wrapped around the pulleys makes the difference.
Wichita Falls ISD (2013-2014)
6Sc Unit 7, Lesson 3
Process Skills TEKS must be incorporated into
instruction as appropriate throughout the school year.
3
revised 12/8/13
Parent Resources



STEMscopes Student Picture Vocabulary*
STEMscopes Interactive Vocabulary Game*
STEMscopes Interactive Review Game*
*All of these activities must be assigned by the teacher for student to access them on the STEMscopes
website.
Wichita Falls ISD (2013-2014)
6Sc Unit 7, Lesson 3
Process Skills TEKS must be incorporated into
instruction as appropriate throughout the school year.
4
revised 12/8/13